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The New Tools of the Trade!

By
Managing Real Estate Broker with Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions"

The day of carrying  a bunch of paper to each listing, showing buyers all the background printed materials is long gone for most of us.Laptop

The New Tools of the Trade....we pack a laptop with WiFi...replacing the yellow pad.  We pack a cell phone with our data securely embedded...our day planner a thing of the past too.  Although some still cling to their yellow pads and day plannerscell phone the fact is there are much easier ways to deal with data.

We carry listings and buyer contact information not in a spiral notebook...or contact card or Rolodex, they are in our data program on the laptop and in our cell phones.

Property previews for an out of  town client can be done and photos forwarded at lightning speed.  Gone is the day when carrying all your files in the trunk of your care just in case you need one.  Today a laptop and small portable printer can dazzle clients and give everything you need at your finger tips.

Bluetooth HeadsetI wear a Bluetooth remote phone headset.  Today a gentleman about my age (sorry to say) stopped me and said...what is that in your ear a hearing aid?  I politely said...NO that is my remote phone headset.  I didn't dare say my Bluetooth....he would want to check my teeth!  "Really", was his response, "what will they come up with next?"  He walked across the parking lot shaking his head.Flash Drive

I carry a flash drive with all my listings and virtual tours on it.  I carry all my forms on my flash drive as well.  Also a little portable printer in my communication bag. 

My phone allows me to text, thanks to a Kris Wales post about 8 months ago, I learned from my 15 year old niece the ins's and outs of texting.  Kris's daughter taught her.  I use it if clients communicate that way...I also can email from my phone and laptop.

What will be the next tools of the trade added to our tool boxes?

Quad Cities My RealTeam (Mel Foster Co.)
Keith Allen Allborty - Davenport, IA

The iphone I can measure rooms, and I have trulia and can access the mls.  Next I'm getting a portable projector for presentations - pre listing appointments with visual display. I always have to justify the cost and cutting a few color copies pays for it within a year.

Jan 27, 2009 09:44 AM
Debbie Malone
Londeree's Real Estate & Property Management - Lynchburg, VA
From Lynchburg To The Lake (434) 546-0369

Gary, Good for you, I'm still behind on the technology but I do keep my flip video, digital camera with me and I can text! I have a long way to go!

Jan 27, 2009 10:09 AM
Dinah Lee Griffey
Windermere Peninsula Properties - Allyn, WA
Managing Broker Windermere Peninsula Properties

I love all of the new gadgets. I think that reducing the use of paper is a necessity-Dinah Lee

Jan 27, 2009 10:24 AM
June Piper-Brandon
Coldwell Banker Realty - Columbia, MD
Creating Generational Wealth Through Homeownership

People walk up to me all the time and ask me why my ear is blinking.  They think it's my ear rings (only I don't wear any).  Paper is becoming obsolete, the day that we are able to sign contracts electronically will radically change our industry forever. 

Jan 27, 2009 10:53 AM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Hi Keith and Shellye, you doing what works that is what counts.  Thanks for the comments.

Jan 28, 2009 10:47 AM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Hi Debbie, not sure you have that far to go....getting the job done is far better than technology!

Jan 28, 2009 10:48 AM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Hi Dinah, I am heading that way...but our state law requires that we store physical paper copies of all trans actions for 10 years.  Where have they been?

Jan 28, 2009 10:50 AM
Gary White~Grand Rapids Home Selling Pro Call: 616-821-9375
Flexit Realty "Flexible Home Selling Solutions" - Grand Rapids, MI
Real Estate Services You can Trust!

Hi June, it makes sense and it is coming...the paperless office is closer than we think.  Thanks for the comments June.

Jan 28, 2009 10:51 AM
Dave Bonitati
Remax Central Group - Toledo, OH

I find that too many agents spend way too mcuh time playing with or trying to figure out tech tools that are supposed to make their job easier.  I use tools both Internet and mobile for lead generation.  It just works without my intervention and when a buyer makes a request I'm notified immediately and can follow-up.  Buyers are always surprised at how fast I respond.  If the technology doesn't make your life easier meaning its working for you not the other way around then it's not worth your time.

Jan 30, 2009 08:44 AM
Kathleen Lordbock
Keller Williams Realty Professionals - Baxter, MN
Keller Williams Realty Professionals

Am just adding on texting to my phone so I can add the text widget on my website and blogs. Have most everything on my computors and laptop (thats right - plural), Still have my yellow legal - just because I like to write.

Jan 30, 2009 09:23 AM
Connie Betz
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ambassador Real Estate - Omaha, NE
Top Omaha Realtor - Omaha Homes for Sale

I wonder if the next step will be posting the listing online and viewing it online with the client.

Feb 05, 2009 02:03 PM
Michael Neville
Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Midtown - Atlanta, GA
Intown Atlanta Realtor

I love having virtual tours & streaming you-tube videos of my listings - i'm sure everyone will have that as standard soon

Feb 11, 2009 11:31 AM
Gary L. Waters Broker Associate, Bucci Realty
Bucci Realty, Inc. - Melbourne, FL
Eighteen Years Experience in Brevard County

Gary - Missed this one earlier. Technology does make things a bit easier. And you are not that old!

Feb 19, 2009 05:42 AM
Tony Grego, 317-663-4173 #1 Trade Association for Alternative Inv
REISA - 317-663-4173 - Indianapolis, IN

I have gone as far as ordering a second iPhone today so I can jailbreak and use as a laptop theather.

Sometimes I think we have to much tech.

Tony

Feb 19, 2009 01:11 PM
Naoma Doriguzzi
Virginia Beach - Virginia Beach, VA
New Media Director

Isn't technology great! I am embracing any way that I can and loving it! I can't get enough of it

Feb 27, 2009 12:18 PM
Rich Rogala
Consistent Clients - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Marketing Coach

I think being able to give and get instantaneous answers is so great in real estate. The days of getting back to the office before calling to find an answer are gone, and I think it's a real improvement for our clients, in my opinion.

Mar 11, 2009 06:27 AM
Chris M.T. Bodden
Keller Williams Realty - Kapolei, HI
RA, CDPE - www.BoddenRealEstate.com

Technology makes things so much easier.  I still like a yellow pad though.

Mar 13, 2009 11:37 AM
Ginger Harper
Coldwell Banker Sea Coast Advantage~ Ginger Harper Real Estate Team - Southport, NC
Your Southport~Oak Island Agent~Brunswick County!

Thanks for sharing this with me.  Good things!

Ginger of Southport

Mar 26, 2009 08:22 AM
Interactive 360° Virtual Tour provider for SW Michigan/360 Vision
360 Vision - Holland, MI

Gary, you taking advantage of today's technology is not only good for you, its also good for your clients.  I see first had the Advantages from both sides..owning a Interactive 360° Virtual Tour filming company.  Almost everyone now has internet access and it is by far our most powerful marketing tool in this industry.  I have been in the Virtual Tour filming industry for almost nine years now, back when I started 360 Vision, Realtors did have any idea what Virtual Tours were.  When I would go to give my sales pitch I usually got a odd, confused look when trying to explain what a Virtual Tour was...so I would just get out my laptop and show them.  The response was always the same after seeing it...amazed and I want to order some tours.  Today...almost nine years later it still amazes me that so many Realtors don't utilize the marketing power of Virtual Tours, and when I say Virtual Tour I mean a True interactive 360° virtual tour...not a fancy still picture slideshow.  Times are a'changing and the fact is the more tech savvy we are...the more successful we will be. 

BTW...I have to agree with the people who commented about the iPhone, it is hands down the greatest phone in the world...no matter what you need to do, you can find an APP for the iPhone that will get it done.

Les Morehead Jr

360 Vision logo

www.360-virtualtours.com

Interactive 360° Virtual Tour provider

Apr 13, 2009 06:54 PM
Susan Laxson CRS
Palm Properties - La Quinta, CA
Realtor in San Diego, CA & Naples, FL

Thanks Gary for this "age of technology" post - would like to reblog it to share with my friends, family & clients.

Jun 18, 2010 07:49 PM